Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4870-4871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2091]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-262-AD; Amendment 39-11463; AD 99-26-03 C1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:  Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY:  This document corrects information in an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive 
general visual inspections of the power feeder cables, terminal strip, 
fuseholder, and fuses of the galley load control unit (GLCU) within the 
No. 3 bay electrical power center to detect damage; and corrective 
actions, if necessary. This document revises the statement of the 
unsafe condition to correct the location of where potential smoke and 
fire may occur and to correct the description of the locations of the 
power feeder cables. This correction is necessary to ensure that 
operators have a clear understanding of the unsafe condition.

DATES:  Effective: January 4, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed 
in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of January 4, 2000 (64 FR 71001, December 20, 
1999).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5350; 
fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  On December 7, 1999, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued AD 99-26-03, amendment 39-11463 (64 FR 
71001, December 20, 1999), which applies to certain McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 series airplanes. That AD requires repetitive general 
visual inspections of the power feeder cables, terminal strip, 
fuseholder, and fuses of the galley load control unit (GLCU) within the 
No. 3 bay electrical power center to detect damage; and corrective 
actions, if necessary. That AD was prompted by an incident of no power 
to the aft galleys and two incidents of sparking sounds coming from the 
aft galleys due to damage of the No. 3 and 4 wire assembly terminal 
lugs and overheating of the power feeder cables on the G3 GLCU. The 
actions required by that AD are intended to prevent such damage due to 
the accumulated effects over time from overheating of the power feeder 
cables on the G3 GLCU, which could result in smoke and fire in the G3 
galley.

Need for the Correction

    Although the unsafe condition described in AD 99-26-03 specified 
that smoke and fire could occur in the G3 galley, the FAA recently has 
obtained information indicating that the correct location is in the 
Central Accessory Compartment (CAC). This action also revises the 
statement of the unsafe condition to specify the correct location of 
the power feeder cable. The unsafe condition described in AD 99-26-03 
specified the ``power feeder cable on the G3 galley load control unit 
(GLCU).'' The correct locations of the power feeder cables are on the 
No. 3 and 4 GLCU. Therefore, the statement of the unsafe condition has 
been revised to read, ``to prevent damage to the wire assembly terminal 
lugs and overheating of the power feeder cables on the No. 3. and 4 
GLCU, which could result in smoke and fire in the CAC.
    The FAA has determined that a correction to AD 99-26-03 is 
necessary. This action will provide operators with a clear 
understanding of the location where fire and smoke may occur if the 
specified unsafe condition is not prevented.

Correction of Publication

    This document corrects the errors and correctly adds the AD as an 
amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
39.13).
    The AD is reprinted in its entirety for the convenience of affected 
operators. The effective date of the AD remains January 4, 2000.
    Since this action only corrects the location of potential fire and 
smoke described in the description of the unsafe condition and revises 
certain associations with the power feeder wire assembly, it has no 
adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. 
Therefore, the FAA has determined that notice and public procedures are 
unnecessary.

List of Subject in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Correction

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13 [Corrected]   

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by correctly adding the following 
airworthiness directive (AD):

99-26-03 C1 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11463. Docket 99-NM-262-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, Revision 01, 
dated November 11, 1999; certificated in any category.

    Note 1:  This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the

[[Page 4871]]

requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.


    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent damage to the wire assembly terminal lugs and power 
feeder cables due to the accumulated effects over time from 
overheating of the power feeder cables on the No. 3 and 4 galley 
load control unit (GLCU), which could result in smoke and fire in 
the central accessory compartment (CAC); accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a general visual inspection of the power feeder cables, terminal 
strip, fuseholder, and fuses of the GLCU within the No. 3 bay 
electrical power center to detect damage (i.e., discoloration of 
affected parts or loose attachments) in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, dated August 30, 1999; 
or Revision 01, dated November 11, 1999.


    Note 2:  For the purposes of this AD, a general visual 
inspection is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or 
exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, 
failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under 
normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar 
lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or 
opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may 
be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''


    (1) If no damage is detected during any inspection required by 
this AD, repeat the general visual inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours.
    (2) If any damage is detected during any inspection required by 
this AD, prior to further flight, replace the power feeder cables, 
fuseholder, and/or fuses, as applicable, in accordance with the 
service bulletin. Repeat the general visual inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.


    Note 3:  Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, dated August 30, 1999; 
or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, Revision 
01, dated November 11, 1999. The incorporation by reference was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
January 4, 2000 (64 FR 71001, December 20, 1999). Copies may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: 
Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-0). 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (e) The effective date of this amendment remains January 4, 
2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 26, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-2091 Filed 2-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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